Holidays with Downtown

The highlight of this itinerary is Genovesa Island and the possibility of walking to the cliff at El Barranco, observing thousands of sea birds fluttering around. Of course, the obvious Red Footed Booby is ever present. Darwin bay offers great encounters with sea birds and to- class snorkeling

Day 1 - Thu: Guayaquil

After airport formalities at Guayaquil Airport take the shuttle to your hotel for check-in and overnight.

Note: all passengers must show proof of vaccination or negative PCR test for Covid-19 (taken 72 hours before arrival)

Day 2 - Fri: Guayaquil, Baltra, North Seymour

AM: Guayaquil, Santa Cruz: Take the shuttle to the airport to board your flight to Baltra, in the Galapagos Islands. Once in Santa Cruz, passengers must go through an inspection point at the airport to make sure that no foreign plants or animals are being introduced to the archipelago. After control you’ll meet your guide who will take you and carry the luggage to the bus to the pier where you’ll board a motorized boat called panga for a short ride to embark on the Catamaran Seaman Journey. Then settle down in your cabin and enjoy lunch on board.

PM: North Seymour: North Seymour is an uplifted (as opposed to volcanic) island. Therefore, it is generally ­at and strewn with boulders. There are good nesting sites here for a large population of magni‑cent frigate birds. Blue-footed boobies perform their courtship dance in the more open areas and swallow-tailed gulls perch on the cli edges. Despite the tremendous surf that can pound the outer shore, sea lions haul out onto the beach and can be found bodysurfing. [B/L/D]

Note: To enter the Galapagos you are required to pay a $20 ingress fee (Ingala Card) at the airport and a conservation fee of $100 on your arrival at Santa Cruz.

Day 3 - Sat: Barranco, Darwin Bay

AM: El Barranco: The visitor site of El Barranco is located in the southern part of Darwin Bay in Genovesa Island. The 1 mile long volcanic rock trail can be done in about 2 hours. The youngest area of the island, from a geological point of view, lies on this area. The cliff, composed of very fragile lava, is located in the south,. The natural erosion in these lava flows has become the ideal place for nesting Storm Petrels. You can see two species of petrels that nest in cavities and holes in the lava. One of its main predators is the short-eared owl. The red-footed booby nests only in the outer islands of the archipelago, Punta Pitt, Gardner (Floreana), Wolf, Darwin and Genovesa. Also present on this island is the masked booby. During the panga rides along the cliffs, fur sea lions and several species of seabirds can be seen.

PM: Darwin Bay: This bay was formed when the crater of this island collapsed below sea level. The wet landing is on a beautiful white coral sandy beach. This is a favorite island for birdwatchers that allow the following species to be seen: red footed-booby, masked boobies, wandering tattlers, lava gulls, whimbrels, yellow-crowned, black-crowned lava herons and yellow warblers. Continuing on the trail, visitors climb gradually to the edge of the cliff seeing Red-Foots nesting in the Mangrove trees below. Bird watching includes sightings of sharp-beaked finches, large cactus and ground finches, Galapagos doves and swallow-tailed gulls. Reaching the end of the trail, at the cliff’s edge, you’ll have an incredible view of the island and of the many birds living there. [B/L/D]

Day 4 - Sun: Plazas, Santa Fe

AM: Plazas: Plazas is located at the east of Santa Cruz Island, and forms part of two islands known as Islas Plazas. Despite its small size, some of the most interesting and outstanding species of the Galapagos are found here. The land iguanas are smaller than its relatives found on other islands. Throughout the island are several hybrid iguanas, a unique result of crossing a male marine iguana and a female land iguana, recognizable at first glance by their black/gray color, with a land iguana’s crest, but face and tail of the marine iguana. The big population of iguanas is due to the presence of tuna fish, their favorite food. Swallow tailed gulls nesting in the rugged cliffs are seen along with other seabirds as: Audubon shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds, and brown pelicans.

PM: Santa Fe: Located in the southeastern part of the Galapagos, this island was formed from an uplift instead of a volcanic origin, explaining why it is mostly flat. There are some theories which assure this could be the oldest island in the Archipelago. Santa Fe is the home of a number of endemic species like the Galapagos hawk, Galapagos snake, Galapagos mockingbird, rice rats, and one of the two species of land Iguanas of the islands. After disembarking in the beautiful and clear waters you will be in contact with one of the many sea lion colonies. Along the trail many salt bushes can be seen as well as giant Prickly Pear cactus: gigantism is a characteristic of oceanic islands. There are great possibilities of snorkeling with playful sea lions and tropical fish. [B/L/D]

Day 5 - Mon: San Cristobal, Guayaquil

AM: Jacinto Cordillo Breeding Center: In 2004 the Breeding and Rearing Center for young tortoises Jacinto Gordillo, named after a famous settler, was located in Cerro Colorado, San Cristobal Island, in order to take care of young tortoises. In 2008 an assisted reproduction program started on the island due to the birth of a little turtle in captivity. At the Jacinto Breeding Center, you’ll learn, hand on, about breeding processes. After the morning excursion you will be taken to San Cristobal airport for your flight to Guayaquil. On arrival take the shuttle to the hotel for check-in and overnight. [B]

Note: Depending on your US gateway city the flights may be adjusted and an overnight may have to be added either in Quito or Guayaquil

Day 6 - Tue: Guayaquil, USA

Breakfast at the hotel. At the appropriate time take the shuttle to the airport to board your flight back home. [B]

[B] = Breakfast | [B/L/D] = Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner